Gaynelle Alphonso

Gaynelle came to the Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK) on a referral from her Career Development Unit worker at the Department of Public Welfare during our Winter 2003 class.  Gaynelle expressed a genuine love of cooking and desire to work her way up in the field. 

She received some culinary training through Job Corps in Charleston 8 years prior to entering the PCK.  She was participating in a nursing training program, but her goal was to pursue a career in the culinary field.  She realized that she needed PCK to help her sharpen her kitchen skills and generate job opportunities.

Gaynelle’s enthusiastic and self motivated attitude demonstrated her desire to succeed.  She was willing to work hard and follow instructions well.  Gaynelle was able to tackle whole projects with minimal supervision.  She truly thrived in assignments that required attention to detail.  Her participation was invaluable during a major inventory project. 

From time to time things in her personal life caused her to miss school, but she always made up her missed time and was open to advice. Gaynelle was always pleasant, and her positive attitude really helped to encourage her classmates and promoted a team-like atmosphere in the kitchen and in the classroom. 

Not long after graduation, Gaynelle gained employment as a Cook at Calcutta House, which provides hospice care to HIV and AIDS patients.  She is still employed and is doing very well.  She is happy to have a full time job in food service with benefits and with much opportunity to learn the business in greater depth.   Gaynelle’s supervisor has nothing but good things to say about her performance and attitude.  In 2006, she received the opportunity to train interns and new hires from PCK.

We are proud of Gaynelle’s progress and ability to meet her goals through the PCK.

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